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Winter is fast-approaching and the preparation for Christmas and New Year’s celebration has already begun in some parts of the world. As we all know, the month of December and January are always a busy period and it is more than just a ‘festive season’ in the football world.The winter transfer window is set to open soon and several clubs around Europe are on the lookout for players. Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United will be compelled to ‘shop’ during the festive period in order to pose a serious title challenge on Manchester City, who boasts the league’s most well-rounded squad and are topping the league table at the moment.While Spanish giants Real Madrid, as usual, are tempted to bring in big names in every transfer window and in January they might add a few players to the side’s attacking force. Perhaps, in the form of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski?So here are some of the major transfer rumours doing the rounds in Europe today.
#1 La Liga
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has shown his support for Karim Benzema amid the alleged involvement of the French striker in Mathieu Valbuena's sex-tape scandal. However, Perez has now made it known that his days at the Santiago Bernabeu could be numbered if he is to be found guilty over his alleged involvement and has threatened to relieve him of his duties.
It has been reported by Marca that Los Blancos are ready to offload the France international and are lining up a move for Bayern Munich’s in-form striker Robert Lewandowski, who could soon be partnered alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The agent of the Polish international has refused to silence rumours linking his client with a move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid. Lewandowski's agent, Cezary Cucharsk said: "You cannot deny that there is interest from Real Madrid.”
The player himself has also admitted that he is learning Spanish but has insisted that there has been no contact over the past few months.
According to FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is set to leave for Barcelona soon, as per reports on Tuttosport. Pogba has been the engine in the heart of Juve’s midfield but he could well be tempted to a move to Nou Camp in the summer.
English champions Chelsea are ready to make a £40 million for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, according to the Mirror. The Blues are ready to offload their misfiring, highly-controversial striker Diego Costa and the Frenchman is seen as the ideal replacement at the Stamford Bridge.
Another La Liga star Ever Banega is reportedly being watched by Premier League side Everton. The Merseyside club are mulling over a move for the Sevilla midfielder, whose contract with the Europa League winners runs out in the summer. However, Everton will have to fight off competition from Manchester United, Juventus and Roma who are also interested in securing the Argentinian’s signature, as per reports on Liverpool Echo.
#2 Serie A
Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has reportedly refused to renew his contract with the club and this news has attracted attention from Serie A outfit Inter Milan, according to Gazzetta di Parma. Inter are looking to revamp their squad and they are ready to pounce on Alonso’s current situation with his club. However, Liverpool are also said to be interested in acquiring his services for the second time in his career.
Roberto Mancini is also said to be considering a move for Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, as per reports on the Mirror. The Italian manager believes the Blues star could be the final piece of the jigsaw to bring the much-prized Scudetto to Inter. They are currently sitting second in the domestic league. However, the Belgian star is valued at a whopping £75million and the Serie A outfit will face stiff competitions from other clubs for his signing.
Arsenal loanee Wojciech Szczesny is keen on a return to London, but he has not ruled out his stay at the Italian capital after a successful spell with the club, according to TalkSport. The Poland international has expressed his desire to make it as number one at the Emirates Stadium, but the arrival of Petr Cech has made it difficult for Szczesny.
Roma are keen in signing the goalkeeper on a permanent deal but both parties are yet to have a serious talk about it. However, if the Italian club fails to sign him on a permanent deal, they have placed Brazil's Becker as the next candidate.
It has been reported by Tuttosport that Italian champions Juventus will try to lure Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to Turin in the January transfer window. The Serie A club reportedly wants to move quickly as it fears competition from Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester United.
#3 Premier League
Arsenal are ready to offer a new deal for their playmaker Mesut Ozil after his impressive start to the season, Mirror reported. The German international was signed from Real Madrid for £42 million in the summer of 2013 and he is left with two years to run from the end of the current season.
The Gunners are keen to keep him at the Emirates Stadium until at least 2019 after his impressive start to the season, which has seen him top the assist makers chart in the Premier League with 10 assists. Few months ago, Ozil’s teammates Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla signed new contracts and the Gunners now want Alexis Sanchez and Ozil to follow suit.
Ever since Alexis Sanchez arrived in England, he has been stunning for the Gunners and rivals Manchester United are ready to fork out 53 million to try and lure the Chilean to Old Trafford, according to Mirror. However, the North London club are adamant to keep hold of their star player, but his list of suitors is rapidly growing with Los Blancos also interested.
The Red Devils are also reportedly keen on signing English striker Jamie Vardy in the January transfer window, Espn reported. The Leicester City forward has been in scintillating form so far this season, scoring 12 Premier League goals, which makes him the league’s top scorer.
United were previously thought to be interested in Tottenham’s Harry Kane, but they have diverted their attention towards Vardy. It is thought that United have had scouts watching the striker score in his last two outings against Watford and West Brom.
The Mirror understands that United manager Louis Van Gaal is also ready to pounce on Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben who is said to be unhappy at the Allianz Arena. Robben’s teammate Robert Lewandowski has apparently made it clear that he prefers to play alongside Douglas Costa and Kinsley Coman because the Dutchman is apparently too selfish and now, both players seem to be at loggerheads. This situation could benefit United and a reunion with his former Holland boss is on the cards.
#4 Rest of the World
Sporting Lisbon starlet William Carvalho has stalled contract renewal talks with the club, according to Sky Sports. The Portuguese midfielder has been frequently linked with a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool. At the moment, the player and his club are unable to agree the terms of a new deal and this has alerted his potential suitors.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is set to join either Juventus or Tottenham in the summer. The Argentinian's contract with the Parisians will end next summer and he is keen on finding greener pastures in England or make a return to Italian football, as per reports on TalkSport.
Lazio striker Miroslav Klose is being chased by a trio of Major League Soccer franchises, says Gazzetta Dello Sport.The veteran German will be a free agent next summer, with the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire all keen on the player.
